Overview Through Collaborative Efforts With Other Healthcare
Overviewthrough Collaborave Efforts With Other Healthcare Professiona
Overview Through collaborative efforts with other healthcare professionals, interdisciplinary teams focus on improving individual, family, and community well-being. Therefore, your role within this interdisciplinary team becomes crucial. To be prepared to participate in a global setting, an understanding of your role as a healthcare provider functioning as a member of an interdisciplinary team is required. By investigating scholarly literature, you will answer the questions: What are the professional requirements and scope of practice of a person who fulfills your role on an interdisciplinary team in the specified country? What do you need to prepare to function in your role competently? What actions would be performed by your role on an interdisciplinary team? What is your role in an international context? Prompt Craft a short paper by identifying and comparing your role on an interdisciplinary healthcare team in the United States with the same role in two other countries of your choice. Note that you should cite at least three scholarly sources from your investigation. The evidence should not be older than five years.
Paper For Above instruction
In the increasingly interconnected world of healthcare, understanding the roles and requirements of healthcare professionals across different countries is essential for fostering effective interdisciplinary collaboration. This paper examines the role of a registered nurse (RN) in the United States and compares it with the roles in two other countries—Canada and Australia—highlighting similarities, differences, and the importance of cultural competence within these contexts.
Role of the Registered Nurse in the United States
In the United States, registered nurses are integral to healthcare teams, providing direct patient care, health education, and advocating for patient needs. The scope of practice for RNs is defined by state laws and regulations, which specify their responsibilities, including administering medications, performing assessments, collaborating with physicians, and implementing care plans (American Nurses Association [ANA], 2020). To function competently, nurses require a minimum of an associate's degree in nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), along with licensing via the NCLEX-RN examination. Critical skills include clinical judgment, communication, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to work within diverse teams (Nelson et al., 2021).
Role of the Registered Nurse in Canada
Similarly, in Canada, RNs perform comparable functions—assessing patient needs, planning and implementing care, and collaborating within multidisciplinary teams. The Canadian regulatory body, the Canadian Nurses Association, emphasizes the importance of evidence-based practice and cultural competency, especially given Canada's multicultural populations (Canadian Nurses Association [CNA], 2022). Education requirements include a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, with licensing managed provincially. Essential skills mirror those in the U.S., with added emphasis on understanding Indigenous health issues and language barriers to provide culturally safe care (Poudrier & MacLeod, 2020).
Role of the Registered Nurse in Australia
In Australia, RNs undertake similar clinical duties but are also expected to work within the frameworks established by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). The scope is broad, encompassing health promotion, disease prevention, and acute care. Education requirements include a Bachelor of Nursing, with registration necessary for practice. Australian nurses also prioritize cultural competence, particularly regarding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, requiring specialized knowledge and sensitivity (Harvey et al., 2021). The focus on Indigenous health highlights the necessity for culturally tailored interventions and awareness.
Comparison of the Roles Across Countries
Comparing the three countries reveals substantial similarities: the fundamental nursing functions—assessment, care planning, implementation, and collaboration—are consistent. All three emphasize evidence-based practice and require a bachelor’s degree or equivalent for entry into practice. However, notable differences include the specific focus on Indigenous or Indigenous-like populations—highlighting greater cultural competence needs in Canada and Australia—as well as variations in scope of practice, with some regions granting expanded roles such as prescribing medications or ordering diagnostic tests (Kirk et al., 2018). These differences underscore the influence of healthcare policies, cultural demographics, and legal frameworks on nursing roles.
Importance of Cultural Competence
Cultural competence is vital across all contexts to ensure equitable, respectful, and effective care. Healthcare professionals must possess cultural awareness, knowledge, and skills to navigate diverse cultural backgrounds (Betancourt et al., 2018). A culturally competent approach fosters trust, improves patient outcomes, and enhances teamwork within interdisciplinary settings. Conversely, lack of cultural sensitivity can lead to misunderstandings, reduced patient satisfaction, and compromised team functioning (Saha et al., 2019). Therefore, ongoing cultural competence training and awareness are essential components of professional development in nursing worldwide.
Conclusion
The roles of registered nurses in the United States, Canada, and Australia share core functions, yet differ in scope, emphasis, and cultural focus. Recognizing these similarities and differences enhances international understanding and collaboration, ultimately benefiting patient care. Emphasizing cultural competence remains central to effective interdisciplinary teamwork, ensuring professionals can work respectfully and effectively with diverse populations globally.
References
- American Nurses Association. (2020). Nursing: Scope and standards of practice (3rd ed.). ANA.
- Betancourt, J. R., Green, A. R., Carrillo, J. E., & Park, E. R. (2018). Cultural competence and health care disparities: Key perspectives and trends. Health Affairs, 37(2), 232-239.
- Canadian Nurses Association. (2022). Code of ethics for registered nurses. CNA.
- Harvey, C., et al. (2021). Indigenous health in Australian nursing: Cultural competence and community engagement. Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, 38(1), 55-62.
- Kirk, M., et al. (2018). Nursing scope of practice in Australia, Canada, and the United States: A comparative review. International Nursing Review, 65(3), 423-430.
- Nelson, S., et al. (2021). Building cultural competence in nursing practice: A model for effective education. Journal of Nursing Education, 60(4), 235-241.
- Poudrier, J., & MacLeod, A. (2020). Indigenous health and nursing education: Bridging knowledge systems. Canadian Journal of Nursing Research, 52(2), 142-150.